Toronto Blue Jays spring training is underway in Florida

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Blue Jays hold first spring training day in Florida

CTV News Toronto and CP24 are on the ground in Dunedin, Florida, as Blue Jays spring training gets underway.

Some of the Blue Jays spoke to the media assembled in Florida Tuesday afternoon ahead of the team’s first spring training game this weekend.

Position players reported to the team’s Dunedin, Fla., training complex on Monday, after pitchers and catchers arrived last week.

Toronto’s first Grapefruit League game is on Feb. 21 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Here’s what happened at training camp on Tuesday:

2 p.m. - ‘It’s been amazing’: Blue Jays fans soak up the sun and excitement at spring training

Newmarket, Ont., resident Zelda told CP24 that this is her fourth year at the Dunedin complex for spring training.

“It’s been amazing...I’ve met so many of the players, so many coaches--they’re just as important,” she said, surrounded by a number of other Canadian Jays fans.

Zelda admits that she’s anxious to see the start of the 2026 regular season and predicts the Jays will take the Commissioner’s Trophy this year.

“For sure. There’s no doubt in my mind whatsoever.”

12:30 p.m. - Varsho gets up close and personal with fans

Daulton Varsho was seen signing autographs for Blue Jays fans on Tuesday.

Varsho is going into his fourth season with the team after signing a one-year, US$10.75 million deal with the Jays last month.

12:26 p.m. - Spring training traditions? ‘We gotta turn the cameras off’: Schneider

Manager John Schneider laughed when asked if he has any spring training traditions.

“We gotta turn the cameras off,” he joked.

“I don’t really have that many traditions. I feel like I’ve been coming to this area here, either here or over there, for the last 25 years. So it’s been just kind of normal for me. You know, I think the biggest one is just getting to see everybody that you haven’t seen in the off season. But nothing really stands out. It’s a fun place to come, you know, I met my wife over at the other complex back in 2012 so that kind of stands out every time I drive by that building. But other than that, man, it’s just like coming to work and getting to hang around the guys.”

12:24 p.m. - Okamoto ‘very serious and somewhat manly’: Schneider jokes

Schneider was asked about how Kazuma Okamoto is fitting in with the team, and riffed on a joke the Japanese all-star made about himself.

“I think his work has been very serious and somewhat manly, as he said the other day. He’s been great,” Schneider laughed.

Okamoto was asked by reporters on Saturday about what he’s like off the field, and explained through an interpreter that he is “very serious and very manly,” before breaking character.

The skipper went on to say that it’s obvious Okamoto has “the tools” needed to power up Toronto’s lineup.

“What I’ve seen, is he’s a really funny guy, and I think he’s gonna fit in with this group really well, and we’re just trying to make him as comfortable as possible and make sure he’s getting everything he needs to get ready for the season. And this group is cool because they have a very good knack of bringing accepting guys when they’re new, and really making them feel comfortable,” Schneider said.

12:21 p.m. - Can Springer replicate standout 2025 season? ‘Absolutely’: Schneider

Schneider spoke on George Springer’s banner 2025 season and said he can “absolutely” do it again in 2026.

“I think that things happen at different parts of guys’ careers. You know, his track record speaks for itself, but I think understanding where he is with his swing and where he is with his body right now, man, I wouldn’t put anything past George and see what he did last year is kind of evidence of that. I don’t know what year this is for him in terms of spring trainings, but he’s here, enthusiastic, and he looks great. So it’ll be a slow build up, you know, for the season, but I think that he’s more than capable.”

Springer hit a three-run homerun in the ALCS finale, after trailing the Seattle Mariners for most of Game 7, and sent the Blue Jays to the World Series for the first time since 1993. The ball was later auctioned off for roughly $30K by the fan who caught it.

12:20 p.m. - Schneider says he’s ‘impressed’ with what he’s seen so far

Schneider was asked about what he’s seen from training camp so far and said he’s “impressed.

“The work has been really good. I’ve been impressed with the way the pitchers and the hitters are kind of getting after the live BP (batting practice) settings. So, you know, gone are the years of guys kind of easing into it. I feel like (the) guys’ stuff is kind of where it should be, and (they’re) kind of competing, you know, throughout the advance too. So that part is good,” he said.

12:16 p.m. – Springer praises Dunedin facility

Springer spoke to reporters first, and had nothing but good things to say about the Florida training complex.

“There’s everything you could want here, and I think that just shows how committed to us the organization is. If you need something, it’s here. And you know every chance you have to recover, prepare and play, is awesome,” he said.

12:14 p.m. - ‘Couldn’t have been more proud’ of 2025 Jays: Springer

Springer was asked about the World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and said that he “couldn’t have been more proud” of what the 2025 squad accomplished.

“We did something that we believed we could do. Obviously, it didn’t end the way that we would have liked it to end, but it still means so much to hang our hat up (with a Fall Classic berth).”

The Jays lost to the Dodgers 5-4 in Game 7.

11:45 a.m. - Barger, Clement go for a ride

CP24’s Melissa Duggan spotted third baseman Addison Barger and utility player Ernie Clement riding a golf cart around the complex on Tuesday.

11:30 a.m. – CTV News Toronto and CP24 get sneak peek

CTV News Toronto’s Sean Leathong is on the ground at the Jays’ complex. He spoke with fans and got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the team’s facilities. Watch the video below.

11:15 a.m. – Okamoto seen fielding ground balls with training staff

Okamoto was seen fielding ground balls with training staff on Tuesday. Okamoto signed a four-year US$60-million deal with Toronto on Jan. 4 after spending his entire 11-year career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.